Automatic detector



Oct. 26, 1937. G, HANTJQPOULOS 2,096,803

AUTOMATIC DETECTOR Filed Aug. 28, 1935 GeYorge Hayggu/as ATTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 26, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

The purpose of this invention is to provide a device which is particularly adapted for use on internal combustion engines and the like by which the internal operation of the engine may be determined from a remote point so that improper ring or combustion of any cylinder may readily be indicated.

The invention is a relatively small device that may be installed on the cylinder of an engine 0 which is operated by the pressure of the cylinder and which is adapted to close or open a circuit to indicate said pressure and the circuit may be connected through a series of electric lights so that when the pressure reaches a predetermined degree it will light the light to which it may be connected.

Many devices have been provided for indicating the operation of an internal combustion engine or the like and these operate from the intake manifold or exhaust and also from different parts of the engine, however it has been found desirable to provide an indicator that may be used directly upon the cylinders of the engine so that the actual pressure in each cylinder may readily be determined while the engine is in operation.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a simple and efficient device which is capable of operating in high temperatures, that Si) may be installed on the individual cylinders of an engine, which will automatically open or close a circuit while the engine is in operation.

Another object is to provide an individual unit that may readily be installed on a motor vehicle engine without interfering with the operation of the engine, which automatically opens or closes an electric circuit.

A further object is to provide a device that 4U may be operated by the pressure of the explosion of an internal combustion engine cylinder or the like which may readily be installed and which may close a circuit when the pressure reaches a predetermined amount.

And a still further object is to provide a device operated by pressure for opening and clcsing circuits, that may be installed on the cylinder of an engine, which is of a simple and e economical construction.

With these ends in view the invention embodies a relatively small plug of about the same size as a spark plug having means thereon for opening and closing a circuit, which may be screwed into a threaded opening in the cylinder of an engine and connected to an electric light bulb or a series of bulbs.

Other features and advantages of the invention Will appear from the following description taken in connection with the drawing, wherein:-

Figure 1 is a View showing a typical arrangement of the device with the plug shown in section and the remaining parts in elevation.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the device shown 10 in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a View similar to that shown in Figure l showing an alternate design in which parts are shown in section.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the device shown 15 in Figure 3.

In the drawing the device is shown as it may be made wherein numeral I indicates the plug, numeral 2 a pressure operated element, and numeral 3 a light that may be lighted as the ele- 20 ment 2 operates to complete a circuit.v

The plug I may be of any type and design and may be of any size. In the design shown the plug is made with a hexagonal head having a threaded shank Il with an opening 5 therein 25 and the element 2 which is substantially at, is formed with a base 6 adapted to be secured in the upper end of the opening 5, and this element extends over substantially forming a circle with the opposite end thereof pivotally con- 30 nected to a lever 'I by a link 8 with the end of the member 2 connected to the link by a pin 9, and the opposite end of the link connected to the lever 'I by a pin I0. The element 2 forms an expanding member, and with one end fixed, or held in the plug, the other will be moved outward by the opening movement of the eX- panding member, as the pressure is increased, thereby operating the lever l to make a con-v tact to complete a circuit which will light the 4U lamp 3, that may be located at the instrument board or at any particular point, when the ignited gases explode. The lever i is pivotally mounted on a stand II by a pin I2. This is only a typical arrangement as this device may be arranged 4D in any manner and may be open as shown or enclosed or formed in any manner. The stand I I is mounted upon the nut at the upper end of the plug I by bolts I3 and the upper end is provided with a hub I4 in Which a screw I5 is mounted in an insulating member I6. The insulating member I6 extends through the hub and the end of a Wire I'I may be held upon the screw I5 by a nut I8 and with Washers I9 and 55 20 on each side of the wire. It will be understood however that this connection may be formed in any manner and the screw i5 which is positioned to be engaged by the end of the lever 1 may be mounted by Vany means or arranged in any manner so that as the lever l is operated by the expanding of the member 2 the end thereof may be engaged thereby.

The Contact wire Il may extend to one terminal of the lamp 3 and the other terminal may be directly connected to the ground or may be connected by a wire 2| to the plug I through a battery 22. It will be understood however that the electric circuit may be arranged in any manner and any means may be used for providing electric current.

The design shown in Figures 3 and 4 is substantially the same except that a piston and cylinder is used instead of the circular member 2,

however either device may be used on the cylinder Y 23 is used as a base member and this is provided with a threaded shank 2 and has a cylindrical opening 25 extending through the shank and a piston 26 is slidable inthe opening. A U shaped bracket 21 is held on the upper surface of the plug 23 by screws 28 and a contact point 25 is mounted in an insulating member 36 in the upper end of the bracket and this member is mounted on a screw 3l having a nut 32 thereon which may hold a wire against a washer or nut 33. On the inside of the bracket 21 is a spring 34 the lower end of which rests in a cup washer that is threaded on a stem 36 which extends upward from the piston 23. The upper end of the stem is provided with a contact point 37 and a relatively light spring 38 is placed between the washer 35 and the upper surface of the plug 23 so that when the pressure is released the downward movement of the cylinder by the spring 34 will not cause a knock of the washer 35 against the head of the plug. It will also be understood that this is only a typical arrangement as any similar device may The construction will be readily understood from the foregoing description. In use this device may be made as shown and described and it will be noted that it may readily be placed in an engine cylinder and particularly in the head thereof by tapping a hole in the cylinder or head and screwing the plug into the hole. The contact may then be connected to a light on the instrument board and set so that with the normal explosion pressure a contact will be made and the circuit completed to light the light so that with one of these devices on each cylinder the lights may be lighted continuously as the engine is in operation and should the pressure in any cylinder fall below a certain amount or should any cylinder fail to re it will be immediately indicated by these lights on the instrument board. It will also be understood that this device may be installed upon an engine and set so that it only operates when desired, as a person may only desire. to test the engine at certain intervals or every morningor whenever he feels that it is not operating properly. It may, however, operate continuously. The device is particularly adapted for airplanes because the operator may readily determine whether or not all of his cylinders are fired properly and if not which one is defective.

Having thus fully described the. invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:-

A pressure operated circuit closing device of the type adapted to be mounted directly on a cylinder of an internal combustion engine, with the interior thereof opening into and communicating with the pressure and explosive chamber of said cylinder, comprising a plug having a cylinder therein, and a threaded shank adapted to be screwed into a threaded opening extending through the cylinder wall like a spark-plug, a piston in the cylinder in said plug positioned to be operated directly by the pressure of the gases in the engine cylinder through an unobstructed passage, a rod extending from said piston through the outer end of said plug having a spring retaining cup threaded thereon, a yoke extending outward from said plug forming a cover for the outer end of said rod, a spring between the inner surface of said yoke and said cup positioned to urge said piston inward, a relatively small shock absorbing spring around said piston rod between the cup and plug, a contact point adjustably mounted in said yoke, and positioned to engage the end of the said rod when the piston is moved outward by the pressure in the cylinder.

GEORGE HANTJOPOULOS. 

